Electric switch and control system



July 30, 1963 A. J. MATlYAK ETAL 3,099,771

ELECTRIC SWITCH AND CONTROL SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fild April 1, 1957Fig.|.

y 1963 A. J. MATIYAK ETAL 3,099,771

ELECTRIC swrrcu AND CONTROLSYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1, 19573,099,771 Patented July 30, 1963 corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Apr.1, 1957, Ser. No. 649,873 13 Claims. (Cl. 315-131) This inventionrelates generally to electric switches and, more particularly, topush-button switches of the self-indicating type.

The operation of electrically driven machines, such as machine tools, isfrequently controlled by push-button switches which are located remotelyfrom motor starters for controlling the energization of the drivingmotors. Indicating lamps are provided on switchboards and control panelsto provide an indication of the functioning of apparatus locatedremotely from a switchboard or control panel. In order to save time inisolating control system troubles, indicating lamps are so constructedthat the lamp can be tested for burn out by merely pushing on the lensfor the lamp. When the lens is depressed, the lamp is connected to atest circuit, thereby determining if the lamp is burned out or if thetrouble is elsewhere in the control system.

An object of this invention is to provide a simplified and improvedindicating lamp unit of the self-testing type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cornlbined indicatinglamp and push-button switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved controlsystem utilizing a combined push-button switch and indicating lamp.

Other objects of the invention will be explained fully hereinafter orwill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a spring-returnsnap-action switch is actuated by a combined indicating lamp and pushbutton. The contact members of the switch are so connected in a controlcircuit that the combined lamp and push button is depressed momentarilyto energize a motor starter. The lamp is energized and the starter isheld closed by means of a holding circuit established through auxiliarycontact members on the starter. The lamp may be tested for burn out byagain depressing the lamp to connect its energizing circuit directlyacross the power source through contact members of the switch.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view, partly in section andpartly in elevation, of acombined indicating lamp and switch unit embodying the principalfeatures of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, in bottom plan, of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a reversing system utilizing three ofthe combined indicating lamp and switch units;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a control system utilizing the combinedindicating lamp and switch unit; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of another control system utilizing two ofthe combined indicating lamp and switch units.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the structureshown therein comprises a supporting sleeve 10, preferably composed of acast metal, and having a flange 11 at the inner end thereof for engagingthe inner side of a supporting panel 12. A sealing disc 13, preferablycomposed of rubber or the like, is interposed between the flange 11 andthe inner surface of the panel 12. The outer end of the sleeve 10 isexternally threaded for receiving a clamping ring 14 which is adaptedtosecure the sleeve to the panel 12 when the clamping, ring is drawn downtightly. A metal washer 15 may be provided between the clamping ring 14and the outer surface of the panel 12.

The supporting sleeve 10 is provided with a transversely extending web16 having an opening .17 therein. A housing 18 is slidably disposed inthe opening 17. The upper end of the housing 18 is enlarged and threadedinternally to receive a lens 19 which may also be used as a push button.A sealing washer 21 is provided between a shoulder 22' on the lens 19and the top of the.

housing 18. A lamp receptacle 23 is disposed inside the housing 18 and alamp bulb 24 is disposed in the receptacle 23. The bulb 24 is protectedby the lens 19. The receptacle 23 is retained in the housing 18 byprojections 25 which extend through an opening in the bottom of thehousing 18 and also extend through an opening in an operating member 26,which is attached to the bottom of the housing 18 by riveting theprojections 25 where they extend through the member 26.

A compression spring 27 surrounds the housing 18 between a shoulder 28on the housing 1 8 and a metal washer 29. A sealing disc or washer 31 isprovided around the housing 18 between the metal washer 29 and the web16 of the sleeve 10 to prevent oil or other material from passingthrough the opening 17. The spring 27 compresses the sealing disc 31 andbiases the housing 18 outwardly. The outward movement of the housing 18is limited by the operating member 26 which engages the bottom of thesleeve 10.

One leg of an L-shaped bracket 32 is attached to projections 33 on thebottom end of the sleeve 10 by screws 30. A transformer 34 is attachedto the bracket 32 by means of screws 35, as shown in FIG. 2. Thetransformer has a secondary winding which is connected to the lampreceptacle 23 by means of conductors 3-6 which extend through theopenings inthe operating member 26 and the housing 1 8. The transformerhas a primary winding which is connected to a source of alternatingcurrent in a manner described hereinafter. A resistor may be utilized inplace of the transformer or the lamp may be connected across the linevoltage.

A11 enclosed switch 37 is attached to the other leg of the bracket 32 bymeans of screws 38. The switch 37 is preferably of a double-throwspring-return snap-action type, such as, for example, the switchdescribed in Patent No. 4,960,020. The switch 37 is provided with anoperating plunger 39 which is engaged by the operating member 26 toactuate the switch when the lens 19 is depressed. The switch 37 isprovided with contactmembers which control the energization of the lamp24, as will be described more fully hereinafter. As shown, a

terminal 41 of the switch 37 is connected to terminal 42.

of the primary winding of the transformer 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, the combination indicating lamp and pushbuttonswitch may be utilized in a control system to control the energizationof the actuating coil of a coutactor M which contactor may be utilizedto control When contactor M is established through the auxiliary contactmembers Ma. This holding circuit also energizes the primary winding ofthe transformer 34, thereby causing the lamp 2 1 to be lighted, whichindicates that the contactor M is in the closed position.

If it is desired to test the lamp 24 for bum out, the lamp is againdepressed, thereby re-establishing the circuit thnough contact members43 and 44 which connects the primary winding of the transformer 34directly across the line conductors L1 and L2 through the push-buttonswitch 4-5. Thus, the combination unit may be utilized as a switch forcontrolling the operation of a motor starter, as well as an indicatinglight to indicate the func tioning of the motor starter. When it isdesired to deenergize the contactor M, the switch 45 is depressed toopen the circuit through the contact members of this switch.

As shown in FIG. 5, two of the combination switch and lamp units, whichare designated by the reference characters 37 and 37', may be utilizedto control the deenergization as well as the energization of theactuating coil of a contactor M. The unit 37 functions in the mannerpreviously described to control the energization of the contactor M and,also, the lamp 24.

The unit 37' functions to control the deenergization of the coil of thecontactor M and the cnergization of the lamp 24' which indicates whenthe contactor M is in the open position. When the contact members of theswitch 37' are in the position shown a circuit is established throughcontact members 46 and 47 of the switch 37 and auxiliary contact membersMb of the contactor M to energize the transformer 34, thereby energizingthe lamp 2 4'. Thus, the lamp 24 indicates that the contactor M is inthe open position. When the contactor M is closed, in the mannerpreviously described, the lamp 24 is lighted and the lamp 24' is dark.The opposite condition exists when the contactor M is open.

If it is desired to test the lamp 24' for a burn out, the lamp isdepressed, thereby causing the contactor M to open after which the lamp24' is released. If the lamp does not light at this time, it indicatesthat it is burned out, since an energizing circuit is establishedthrough the contact members of the switch 37 and the auxiliary contactmembers Mb.

As shown in FIG. 3, three combination units 37, 37 and 37" may beutilized to control the forward and the reverse operation of a motor andto stop the motor. When the unit 37 is actuated, the actuating coil of aforward contactor F is energized and a holding circuit for the coil isestablished through auxiliary contact members Fa of the contactor in themanner previously described. The lamp 24 is lighted to indicate that theforward contactor is closed.

If it is desired to reverse the motor, the unit 37" is actuated to stopthe motor, after which the unit 37' is actuated to energize theactuating coil of the reversing contactor R. A holding circuit for thiscontactor is established through auxiliary contact members Ra and thelamp 24' is lighted to indicate that the reverse contactor is closed. Aspreviously stated, the motor may be stopped by actuating the unit 37",thereby interrupting the holding circuits for the cont-actors. The lamp24" is lighted when the forward and the reverse contactors are bothopen. The respective bulbs may be tested for burn out at any time bydepressing the lens of the lamp unit.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the inventionprovides a combination switch and indicating light unit which may beutilized to replace two separate units such as a push-button switch anda separate indicating lamp. The present unit performs the functions ofthe two separate units, thereby reducing the amount of space required tomount the units on a control panel, as well as reducing the cost of theequipment. Furthermore,

4- a lamp may be tested at any time by merely depressing the lens forthe lamp unit. Thus, the operator is enabled to determine readily if thelamp is functioning properly.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above-described constructionand different embodiments of the invention may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all the mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

We claim as our invention:

1. A combined indicating lamp and push-button switch comprising asupporting sleeve having a transverse web with an opening therein, ahousing slidably disposed in said opening, a lamp bulb in said housingand movable therewith with respect to the sleeve, a lens removablydisposed in the housing over said lamp bulb, a spring for biasing thehousing outwardly in the sleeve, an operating member attached to thebottom of the housing to limit the outward movement of the housing, aunitary springreturn snap-action switch disposed exteriorly of thesleeve and supported by the sleeve, an operating plunger on said switchactuated by said operating member when said lens is depressed, andcontact members in, said switch for controlling the energization of saidlamp.

2. In a control system, in combination, an electrically operated devicehaving an actuating coil, a switch movable independently of the deviceand having contact members for controlling the energization of saidcoil, a lamp for indicating the functioning of said device, said lampbeing movable to actuate said switch, and auxiliary contact membersactuated by said device and cooperating with the switch contact membersin controlling the energization of said lamp, and said lamp beingmovable to establish a testing circuit for the lamp independently ofsaid auxiliary contact members.

3. In a control system, in combination, an electrically operated devicehaving an actuating coil, a spring-return snap-action switch movableindependently of the device and having contact members for controllingthe energizat-ion of said coil, a lamp for indicating the functioning ofsaid device, said lamp being movable to actuate said switch, andnormally open auxiliary contact members actuated by said device andcooperating with the switch contact members in controlling theenergization of said lamp and said coil, and said lamp being movable toestablish a testing circuit for the lamp independently of said auxiliarycontact members.

4. In a control system, in combination, an electrically operated devicehaving an actuating coil, a switch having contact members forestablishing an energizing circuit for said coil, a lamp for indicatingwhen said device is in one position, said lamp being movable to actuatesaid switch to establish said energizing circuit, auxiliary contactmembers actuated by said device for establishing a holding circuit forsaid coil, said auxiliary contact members cooperating with said switchcontact members in controlling the energization of said lamp, anadditional switch having contact members for opening said holdingcircuit, an additional lamp for indicating when said device is in adifferent position, said additional lamp being movable to actuate saidadditional switch to interrupt said holding circuit, and additionalauxiliary contact members actuated by said device and cooperating withsaid additional switch contact members in controlling the energizationof said additional lamp.

5. In a reversing system, in combination, a forward contactor having anactuating coil, a first switch having contact members for establishingan energizing circuit for said coil, a first lamp for indicating whenthe forward contactor is closed, said lamp being movable to actuate saidfirst switch, auxiliary contact members actuated by said forwardcontactor for establishing a holding circuit for said coil, saidauxiliary contact members cooperating with said first switch contactmembers in controlling the energization of said first lamp, a reversecontactor having an actuating coil, a second switch having contactmembers for establishing an energizing circuit for said reversecontactor coil, a second lamp for indicating when the reverse contactoris closed, said second lamp being movable to actuate said second switch,additional auxiliary contact members actuated by said reverse contactorfor establishing a holding circuit for said reverse contaotor coil, saidadditional auxiliary contact members cooperating with said second switchcontact members in controlling the energization of said second lamp, athird switch having contact members for interrupting said holdingcircuits, a third lamp for indicating when said contactors are open,said third lamp being movable to actuate said third switch, and otheradditional auxiliary contact members actuated by said contactors andcooperating with said third switch contact members in controlling theenergization of said third lamp.

6. A combined indicating lamp and push-button switch comprising asupporting sleeve having a transverse web with an opening there-in, ahousing slidably disposed in said opening, a lamp receptacle in saidhousing, a lamp bulb in said receptacle, 2. lens screwed into thehousing to cover the lamp bulb, a spring surrounding the housing forbiasing the housing outwardly in the sleeve, an operating memberattached to the bottom of the housing by said receptacle to limit theoutward movement of the housing, an enclosed switch disposed exteriorlyof the sleeve and supported by the sleeve, an operating plunger on saidswitch actuated by said operating member when said lens is depressed,and contact members in said switch for contnolling the energization ofsaid lamp.

7. A combined indicating lamp and push-button switch comprising asupporting sleeve having a transverse web with an opening therein, ahousing slidably disposed in said opening, a lamp receptacle in saidhousing, a lamp bulb in said receptacle, a lens screwed into the housingto cover the lamp bulb, a spring surrounding the housing for biasing thehousing ioutwandly in the sleeve, an operating member attached to thebottom of the housing by said receptacle to limit the outward movementof the housing, a bracket attached to the sleeve, a transformer attachedto the bracket, said transformer having a secondary winding connected tosaid lamp, an enclosed switch also attached to said bracket, anoperating plunger on said switch actuated by said operating member whensaid lens is depressed, a primary winding on the transformer, andcontact members in said switch for controlling the energization of saidprimary winding.

8. A combined indicating lamp and push-button switch comprising asupporting sleeve having a transverse web with an opening therein, ahousing slidably disposed in said opening, a lamp receptacle in saidhousing, a lamp bulb in said receptacle, a lens screwed into the housingto cover the lamp bulb, a spring surrounding the housing for biasing thehousing outwardly in the sleeve, an operating member attached to thebottom of the housing by said receptacle to limit the outwand movementof the housing, an L-shaped bracket having one leg attached to thesleeve, a transformer attached to said one leg, said transformer havinga secondary winding connected to said lamp, an enclosed switch attachedto the other leg of said bracket, an operating plunger in said switchactuated by said operating member when said lens is depressed, a primarywinding on the transformer, contact members in the switch forcontrolling the energization of said primary winding, and a terminal onsaid switch connected to one terminal of the primary winding.

9. In a control system, in combination, an electrically operated devicehaving an actuating coil, a first switch having contact members forcontrolling the energization of the coil, a second switch having contactmembers for controlling the deenergization of the coil, a lamp forindicating the functioning of said device, said lamp being movable toactuate one of said switches, and auxiliary contact members actuated bysaid device and cooperating with the contact members of one of theswitches in controlling the energization of the lamp.

10. In a control system, in. combination, an electrically operateddevice having an actuating coil, a first switch having contact membersfor controlling the energization of the coil, a second switch havingcontact members for controlling the deenergization of the coil, a lampfor indicating the function of said device, said lamp being movable toactuate one of said switches, auxiliary contact members actuated by saiddevice and cooperating with the contact members of one of the switchesin controlling the energization of the lamp, and said lamp being movableto establish a testing circuit for the lamp independently of saidauxiliary contact members.

11. In a control system, in combination, an electrically operated devicehaving an actuating coil, a first switch having contact members forcontrolling the energization of the coil, a second switch having contactmembers for controlling the dee-nergization of the coil, a lamp forindicating the functioning of said device, said lamp being movable toactuate said first switch, auxiliary contact members actuated by saiddevice to control the energization of the lamp, and said lamp beingmovable to establish a testing circuit for the lamp independently ofsaid auxiliary contact members.

12. A combined indicating lamp and push-button switch comprising asupporting sleeve having an external mounting flange formed integnallytherewith, a housing slidably disposed in the sleeve, a lamp bulb in thehousing and movable therewith with respect to the sleeve, a lensdisposed over the bulb and movable with the housing, a spring forbiasing the housing outwardly in the sleeve, an operating memberactuated by said housing when said lens is depressed, a unitaryseparately enclosed spring return switch supported by said sleeve, atransformer supported by said flange, and said switch having contactmembers actuated by said operating member to control the energization ofsaid lamp through said transformer.

13. A combined indicating lamp and push-button switch comprising asupporting sleeve having an external mounting flange formed integrallytherewith, a housing slidably disposed in the sleeve, a lamp bulbdisposed interiorly of the housing and movable therewith with respect tothe sleeve, a lens disposed over the bulb and movable with the housing,a spring for biasing the housing outwardly in the sleeve, an operatingmember actuated by said housing when said lens is depressed, a unitaryseparately enclosed spring return switch disposed exteriorly of thesleeve and supported by the flange, a transformer supponted by saidflange, and said switch having contact members actuated by saidoperating member to control the energization of said lamp through saidtransformer and to perform additional switching operations.

Hallerberg et al June 14, 1955 Harrington Nov. 22, 1955

1. A COMBINED INDICATING LAMP AND PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH COMPRISING ASUPPORTING SLEEVE HAVING A TRANSVERSE WEB WITH AN OPENING THEREIN, AHOUSING SLIDABLY DISPOSED IN SAID OPENING, A LAMP BULB IN SAID HOUSINGAND MOVABLE THEREWITH WITH RESPECT TO THE SLEEVE, A LENS REMOVABLYDISPOSED IN THE HOUSING OVER SAID LAMP BULB, A SPRING FOR BIASING THEHOUSING OUTWARDLY IN THE SLEEVE, AN OPERATING MEMBER ATTACHED TO THEBOTTOM OF THE HOUSING TO LIMIT